15. Earnings per share (EPS)
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31 were:
in $ millions, except share and per share data202520242023
Numerator
Net income
3,7903,5213,072
Net (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
(28)(28)(28)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(9)(1)134
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests to redemption value
(23)(34)(24)
Net income attributable to CRH for EPS - basic and diluted3,7303,4583,154
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (i)
673.2683.3723.9
Effect of dilutive employee share awards (ii)
3.86.25.3
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted677.0689.5729.2
Earnings per share attributable to CRH
Basic
$5.54$5.06$4.36
Diluted
$5.51$5.02$4.33
(i)     The weighted average number of common shares included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share has been adjusted to exclude shares repurchased and held by the Company as Treasury stock given that these shares do not rank for dividend.
(ii)     Common Shares that would only be issued contingent on certain conditions totaling 2,627,138, 2,140,879 and 4,677,404 as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share where the conditions governing exercisability have not been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period or they are antidilutive for the periods presented.

About Earnings Per Share Disclosures

The earnings per share disclosure breaks down the calculation from net income to both basic and diluted EPS, revealing the full impact of a company's capital structure on per-share economics. The reconciliation between basic and diluted share counts exposes how many stock options, RSUs, convertible securities, and warrants are potentially dilutive to existing shareholders.

Key signals: a widening gap between basic and diluted shares indicates growing dilution from equity compensation or convertible instruments. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the diluted calculation deserve attention — they represent latent dilution that will materialize if the stock price rises. Watch for the effect of share buybacks on per-share metrics: EPS growth driven primarily by repurchases rather than income growth signals weakening fundamentals. Compare year-over-year changes in the diluted share count against equity compensation expense to assess whether management is effectively managing dilution.